Most Anticipated May Releases!

Wowza! We’re already done 4 months of 2018 and I for one find that completely and utterly crazy!! I just feel like time is going by so so fast and I kind of just want it to slow down for a bit.

But, with the end of another month comes the start of a new month and some great new YA releases! This is becoming a monthly feature on my blog and I’m really excited to start compiling new monthly releases that I’m excited for! Check out my post for April, here!

As always, the books are in order of publication date!

9 days and 9 nights by Katie Cotugno

Publisher: Balzer + Bray | Release: May 1st, 2018

Synopsis:

The irresistible sequel to the bestselling 99 Days.

Molly Barlow isn’t that girl anymore. A business major at her college in Boston, she’s reinvented herself after everything that went down a year ago . . . after all the people she hurt and the family she tore apart.

Slowly, life is getting back to normal. Molly has just said “I love you” to her new boyfriend, Ian, and they are off on a romantic European vacation together, starting with scenic London. But there on a Tube platform, the past catches up to her in the form of Gabe, her ex, traveling on his own parallel vacation with new girlfriend Sadie.

After comparing itineraries, Ian ends up extending an invite for Gabe and Sadie to join them on the next leg of their trip, to Ireland. Sadie, who’s dying to go there, jumps at the prospect. And Molly and Gabe can’t bring themselves to tell the truth about who they once were to each other to their new significant others.

Now Molly has to spend nine days and nine nights with the boy she once loved, the boy whose heart she shredded, without Ian knowing. Will she make it through as new, improved Molly, or will everything that happened between her and Gabe come rushing back?

Why I’m Excited:

I haven’t read 99 days yet, which is the first book in this series. That being said, Harper Collins and HCC Frenzy kindly sent me an ARC of Top Ten by Katie Cotugno and I really really enjoyed it (read my review here)! They also kindly sent me an ARC of 9 days and 9 nights and I’m really excited to dive into some more contemporary stories from this author.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Penguin Random House | Release: May 1st, 2018

Synopsis:

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

Why I’m Excited:

I’m a sucker for anything that deals with royalty and I totally admit it. Fun fact: when I was nine, the Queen’s car stopped in front of me at an event in England and I lost my mind – I have it on video of me waving at her and her and Prince Philip waving back. Fast forward to over 10 years later, I’m still a sucker. I can’t wait to read this book and thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, I have a lovely ARC waiting for me!

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury | Release: May 1st, 2018

Synopsis:

The Winter Solstice. In a week. I was still new enough to being High Lady that I had no idea what my formal role was to be. If we’d have a High Priestess do some odious ceremony, as lanthe had done the year before. A year. Gods, nearly a year since Rhys had called in his bargain, desperate to get me away from the poison of the Spring Court to save me from my despair. Had he been only a minute later, the Mother knew what would have happened. Where I’d now be. Snow swirled and eddied in the garden, catching in the brown fibers of the burlap covering the shrubs My mate who had worked so hard and so selflessly, all without hope that I would ever be with him We had both fought for that love, bled for it. Rhys had died for it.

Why I’m Excited:

Speaking of royalty – I am so excited for more from the Queen of YA Fantasy herself, Sarah J. Maas. I am stoked to have these characters back in my life. But more importantly, I’m so curious to see where we’re heading as this book is supposed to act as a bridge to further books in the series. I’m sure it’s going to be great!!

Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

Publisher: Simon Pulse | Release: May 8th, 2018

Synopsis:

Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.

So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

Why I’m Excited:

Ireland, romance, and written by Jenna Evans Welch? It’s totally an auto-buy. I loved Love and Gelato (read my review here) and I can’t wait to get another story from this author. I think she’s really great at contemporary novels and I’m curious to see if this lives up to the hype for me

Puddin’ by Julie Murphy

Publisher: Balzer + Bray | Release: May 8th, 2018

Synopsis:

It is a companion novel to Dumplin’, which follows supporting characters from the first book in the months after Willowdean’s star turn in the Clover City pageant.

Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every year since she was a girl. Not this year. This year she has new plans to chase her secret dream—and to kiss her crush. Callie Reyes is the pretty girl who is next in line for dance team captain and has the popular boyfriend. But when it comes to other girls, she’s more frenemy than friend. When circumstances bring the girls together over the course of a semester, they will surprise everyone (especially themselves) by realizing they might have more in common than they ever imagined.

Why I’m Excited:

I read Dumplin’ when it first came out in 2015. However, I must admit that a lot of it has fallen from my memory because of my crazy and insane amount of reading since then. But I totally loved it when I read it. I would really like to pick up Dumplin’ again before reading Puddin’ but I’m excited to be back with the lovable characters from Dumplin’ and the amazing writing of Julie Murphy!

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard

Publisher: HarperTeen | Release: May 15th, 2018

Synopsis:

VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive

Why I’m Excited:

I’m excited purely because its a book written by Victoria Aveyard and I know this is going to be an EPIC conclusion to this amazing series. While I haven’t given her books the strongest star ratings, I have to say that as a series it’s amazing. I love Aveyard’s vivid world building, crazy twists and turns and stunning betrayals. I already pre-ordered the Indigo Book Box that comes with a first edition signed copy of this book and I’m super excited for it to arrive!

Furyborn by Claire Legrand

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire | Release: May 22nd

Synopsis:

When assassins ambush her best friend, the crown prince, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing her ability to perform all seven kinds of elemental magic. The only people who should possess this extraordinary power are a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light and salvation and a queen of blood and destruction. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven trials to test her magic. If she fails, she will be executed…unless the trials kill her first.

A thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a mere fairy tale to bounty hunter Eliana Ferracora. When the Undying Empire conquered her kingdom, she embraced violence to keep her family alive. Now, she believes herself untouchable–until her mother vanishes without a trace, along with countless other women in their city. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain on a dangerous mission and discovers that the evil at the heart of the empire is more terrible than she ever imagined.

As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world–and of each other.

Why I’m Excited:

This looks like its going to be a great fantasy and an epic tale. It’s got queens and some great female power and I’m really excited. Sourcebooks Fire kindly sent me an ARC of it and I’m going to dive in as soon as I’m done my current read! It’s a big book but it’s going to be a great one, I can already tell!

Legendary by Stephanie Garber

Publisher: Flatiron Books | Release: May 29th, 2018

Synopsis:

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister’s. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…the games have only just begun.

Why I’m Excited:

Oh Caraval, how I love you so. I just love this world and I am so excited to be back in it. I was kindly sent an ARC of it and I CAN’T wait to read it! I’m trying to wait closer to release but I think I may break that haha! I’m so intrigued to see this book from Tella’s perspective and it’ll be a wild ride I’m sure!

Well, that’s it for my most anticipated reads of May 2018! What are some of yours? Do we have any of the same ones? Let me know in the comments!